RALPH L. HOLTON, ENS, USN
Ralph Holton '42
Lucky Bag
From the 1942 Lucky Bag:
RALPH LEE HOLTON
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Oswald
Straight from Kalamazoo Teachers' came this jovial lad, who early in Plebe summer displayed the unmistakable trails of one born to the Navy. Seemingly possessing unlimited energy, Ralph tackled every phase of Academy life with success, meanwhile keeping up the weekly correspondence with the home folks. Adept at the slipstick art, he was always willing to aid the less fortunate in finding "x." A promising future for this sea-dog, we'd say.
Soccer 4, ,42; Log 4, 3, 2, 1; 1 Stripe.
The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.
RALPH LEE HOLTON
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Oswald
Straight from Kalamazoo Teachers' came this jovial lad, who early in Plebe summer displayed the unmistakable trails of one born to the Navy. Seemingly possessing unlimited energy, Ralph tackled every phase of Academy life with success, meanwhile keeping up the weekly correspondence with the home folks. Adept at the slipstick art, he was always willing to aid the less fortunate in finding "x." A promising future for this sea-dog, we'd say.
Soccer 4, ,42; Log 4, 3, 2, 1; 1 Stripe.
The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.
Loss
Ralph was lost when USS Hammann (DD 412) was sunk by a Japanese submarine on June 6, 1942 in the Battle of Midway. He was survived by his mother.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Ralph was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was named to the Naval Academy as an alternate by Representative Paul Shafer in January 1938.
His father was Thorwald, a salesman, mother Edith, and sister Virginia. In 1920 his father was a jeweler in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Ralph is remembered at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii.
Photographs
From the Lucky Bag
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Ralph Lee Holton (NSN: 0-123678), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Officer in Charge of a Rescue Boat from the Destroyer U.S.S. HAMMANN (DD-412), following the attack on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON in the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. Ensign Holton persistently returned to the burning U.S.S. LEXINGTON, and under a hail of flaming debris from exploding bombs, ammunition, and gasoline, effected a series of rescues as officer in charge of a boat detailed to rescue survivors. He saved the lives of many who would have otherwise perished. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 315 (June 1943)
Action Date: 8-May-42
Service: Navy
Rank: Ensign
Division: U.S.S. Hammann (DD-412)
Namesake
USS Holton (DE 703) was named for Ralph; the ship was sponsored by his mother, Edith.
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